Blog
09.03.14Extracting Ancient Dental DNA: Just Like Pulling Teeth
Behind the Science, Guest Post, Educationby Dr. Anne Stone, Arizona State University Photo: David Bygott BY-NC-SA 2.0 How hard can it be to extract DNA from the teeth of chimpanzees that died only 30 or 40 years ago? These were my initial thoughts when presented with the opportunity to examine the DNA of the most famous chimpanzees in the world. These individuals, studied by Dr. Jane Goodall at Gombe, included… more »
08.15.14Fossil Friday: Daka Homo erectus
Grantee Spotlight This week’s Fossil Friday is Specimen BOU-VP-2/66. The Daka Calvaria, a million year old Homo erectus skullcap discovered in 1997 by Leakey Foundation grantee Henry Gilbert, who was a Ph.D candidate at the University of California, Berkeley at the time of the discovery. The fossil was discovered in the Middle Awash region of the Afar Rift in eastern Ethiopia,… more »
08.07.14Happy Birthday, Louis Leakey!
In the NewsLouis Leakey, for whom The Leakey Foundation is named, was born on this day in 1903. To celebrate him and his legacy, we invite you to read on and learn a little more about the jovial man who devoted his life to uncovering our shared past. Louis Leakey showing off a spear at a fundraiser. Los Angeles, 1970. “People frequently ask me why I devote so much time to seeking … more »
07.02.14The Director’s Diary: Spain (part two)
Director's DiaryBy Sharal Camisa, Executive Director The Leakey Foundation’s Fellows Tour began in Santander, Spain, one of the richest regions in the world for archeological sites from the Upper Paleolithic period, and continued with a visit to Southern Spain and the rock of Gibraltar. Our home base for this two-day extension was Malaga. Malaga’s history spans about 2,800 years,… more »
06.04.14Director’s Diary: Spain
Director's DiaryBy Sharal Camisa, Executive Director There are few moments more thought-provoking than standing in a dark, damp cave with your arm outstretched, hovering your hand above a red-ochre hand print made over 20,000 years ago, and wondering about the individual who made that impression. Eighteen passionate paleo-science enthusiasts had such an opportunity during… more »
05.06.14Spring 2014 Granting Session
GrantsOn April 26, 2014, the Leakey Foundation Board of Trustees and the Scientific Executive Committee met to discuss the recent grantees for the Spring ’14 grant cycle. Below are some statistics from the Spring 2014 Granting Session:
- There was a total of 111 applications for research grants and Baldwin Fellowships combined.
- There were 10 Baldwin Fellowship applications.
04.02.14Happy Birthday, Jane
In the NewsJane Goodall, arguably the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees and one-third of the famous “Trimates” (A.K.A. “Leakey’s Angels”), will celebrate her 80th birthday on April 3rd. With the help of Louis Leakey, Goodall began her study of chimpanzees at Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania in 1960. By 1967, she had established… more »
01.09.14Fall 2013 Granting Session
GrantsIn December 2013, the Leakey Foundation Board of Trustees and the Scientific Executive Committee met to discuss the newest grantees for the Fall ’13 grant cycle. Below are some quick facts for the Fall 2013 Granting Session:
- There were a total of 89 applications
- 40 applications fell under the category of Behavioral
- 49 applications fell under the category of Paleoanthropology
12.23.13Is Everybody a Big Liar?
Being Human How much do you think we lie? In the past few years, some compelling research has lead science to conclude that “everybody lies.”
12.18.13Skullduggery: Is the Identity of the Piltdown Forger and His Methods Close to Full Exposure?
Guest Post By Dr. Jerry Drawhorn This year, and 60 years since the last extensive analysis of the remains led to the discovery that the Piltdown skull was a fraud, a team of over 15 analysts – including experts in ancient DNA, radiocarbon dating and isotope studies – have been assembled by Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum in London to re-examine the… more »
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